Mobbing in the Workplace - a danger for us?

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I beg to differ. Intuition is a not a function of the ego, the conscious 'everyday' mind; it is a function which springs from deeper parts of our human being. NTs are very concerned with the superficial in every day life, and direct energy very much, perhaps primarily, through their ego function. Their "I" is a very big i, in capitals. People on the spectrum generally (not all) - are less preoccupied with operating primarily through their ego function; their i is often a lower case i not a capital (there are significant exceptions to this). Because of their mysterious pattern detection skills, which appear to spring from the subconscious mind and which reinforce the allied force of intuition, they bring these qualities to everyday life and often operate through them in stark contrast to the way many NTs operate through the ego level (there are some significant exceptions to this too, as we see here everyday).

I don't think 'normoneuros' aka NTs have superior intuition as a group compared to us, it's a most definite no to your theory from me... a considerable capacity for both rational and intuitive functions are not mutually exclusive, as many here demonstrate every day.

B19

Interesting points. I wonder whether there are also two faces to intuition, a rational and primeval one (I am reluctant to refer the more primitive behaviours to genetics or a reptilian brain construct.

This being due to the fact that I view consciousness as radical in its effects on our species. Radical to the extent that it essentially blocks off the auto pilot mechanisms of instinct bar those necessary to support the vessel in which consciousness functions, the body. There is a bit more to my thoughts on this but that is the general idea. I instead prefer the Marxist view which revolves around social relations or the culture of economy. This I find helps account for the huge disparities we find in human behaviours dependent on cultural economy.)

Anyways back to my oinitial point. I find myself very intuitive in matters of a logical nature yet esoteric intuitiveness leaves me cold.

pepe

Consciousness is a radical departure in evolution. And when you consider current quantum physics theories involving the role played by self aware consciousness in forming matter and even going as far as a conscious Cosmos, developments in science pretty much puts this organic mechanism in quite a bright beam of uniqueness as a subject of inquiry.

Sadly part of not knowing the unspoken "social rules" many of us have a hard time fitting in at work.

The modern workplace is a "team" environment. Collectivist behavior is the rule.
Mobbing is one of the darker aspects to collectivism. The non-conformist will be excluded and sometimes punished.
It's is an unconscious, animal herd instinct for many, something very hard to change.

I was "mobbed" out of a job in 1996.
It still grinds me to think of how I was shunned there for not "fitting in".

The group seeks to destroy the individual.
This is the human animal.

I enjoy reading your posts as well Pepe.



I'm apt to see consciousness and logic as mutually exclusive, same for their antonyms, so I can definitely agree with your hive mind nuance.



I love biology-- I live out in the woods so I get to see a lot of creatures in their natural habitat every day. I also read a lot of paleontology material. I can't help but see the fundamental interactions humans have without that basic animal nature attached to it. I also tend to view consciousness not as a gift of nature, but an inevitable stage of evolution.

I'd just like to say kudos B19, you made an awesome thread because pretty much everyone I've seen post here is a rock star in the aspect of thinking.

Consciousness is a perplexing beast. On the one hand it grants us the potential to travel through time and space and arrange our lives accordingly (cause and effect) and yet it apparently breeds quite ego centric behaviour of the worst kind.

In essence, evolution has given us the tool and an environment within which to express it, our abundant planetary home. How we arrange that environment appears to affect the degree to which we utilise that consciousness. Thus we are blank slates with potential (autistics are something of a departure as they appear to occupy a separate amplified range of consciousness on the spectrum...this is something I will need to contemplate.)

As our environment is incrementally stripped of its residue of our instinctive past, thus greater and greater segments of that consciousness come to the fore with the rise in Reason.

It is thus within this framework that I view such episodes such as mobbing and other forms of tribalism.

edit: The environment that I refer to in the last but one paragraph is social economy or cultural economy. Its highest experession being collectivised logic. Some may shrink at the idea of a collective but it is merely shorthand for a fully conscientised human race (as opposed to the dysfunctional patchwork we have at present)

The subject has definitely stuck a chord/nerve...

I didn't suggest it was...
To the contrary, "intuition" to my understanding has a greater connectivity/affinity with Freud's "Id"...
It engages emotions, instinct, I.E. the reptilian brain more so than the higher brain functions...
Not to say there isn't a degree of rationality at times via the incorporation of previous experiences/patterns-of-behaviour...

"According to this model of the psyche, the id is the set of uncoordinated instinctual trends;"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id,_ego_and_super-ego

"Intuition, a phenomenon of the mind, describes the ability to acquire knowledge without inference or the use of reason.[2] "
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intuition

I think we are basically saying the same thing...

Further, I would like to make the observation that NTs have a greater connectedness/comfort with primitive impulses, hence the mobbing phenomenon...
Once again, I assert that mobbing is essentially a neurotypical "disease", imo...
Bad, bad neurotypicals...

In agreement...
This is where the conscious and critical aspect of our psyche needs to be engaged if social justice is desired...
But self interest often trumps justices...go figure...
Evolution has much to answer for...

I am very grateful for the contributions to this thread. Thank you everyone.

At this stage of the thread - now that we can all name and recognise the phenomenon of mobbing, (if you have just arrived and started here, go back and read the links - or just the last link - where there is excellent information on many aspects of mobbing in the workplace), I would like to make a shift to brainstorming some options/actions members could take, if mobbing should ever happen to any of us in the future.

I will start this section with this:

1) Immediately start to record every incident - who when where time what how
and keep this on your person. Never leave it anywhere in the office. Photograph things with your phone if appropriate - eg if someone vandalises your personal belongings at work
2) Never send an email on your work email referring to any of this - it will be monitored (you can though use that to your advantage, if you know they are reading it and they don't know you know - keep it a secret)
3) Go to your union if you have one and ask the union's lawyer to find out which statutes and which parts of them would apply to victimisation by mobbing in the workplace
4) If you are not in a union, go to a lawyer, very early in the piece
5) Consider taking legal action (if things are at a relatively early stage) for "constructive dismissal"
6) Start your job search at a very early stage. Pace yourself on this - ie two hours every Sunday maybe
7) Get support very early in the process. Now that you know the lingo, the way mobbing goes, you can share the links in this thread with support people so that you are on the same page, and use them to start your discussion. You must get support and early. Don't try to face this alone and tough it out.
Anticipate. Stay ahead of their games. For example, don't even try to participate in meetings so that they will have no chance to silence you.
9) Be aware that everything in your office eg the drawers and your personal shelves and files etc will be searched regularly in your absence. Make sure there is nothing there you don't want them to see.
10) On the other hand, you can place things there you do want them to see - a leaflet on bullies?
11) Take the position - as much as you can - as a "disinterested observer" - as if you are an anthropologist in the jungle (it is a jungle) observing patterns of behaviour you have been sent to study and report upon.
12) You may find that clients have called or written to the company about your great work or service, and these have never been passed on to you. So make some courtesy calls if you think this could have happened. You may be very surprised.
13) Because they will spread false rumours, give as much energy to the early job search as you can. Gather testimonials from your old customers if you can that are dated and signed by someone willing to be contacted by prospective employers.
14) Discuss how to handle the damage they do with an occupational health and safety person who is completely independent of your company (be careful; it's surprising how small the world can be)
15) Get all the rest you need. Just thinking about the issues and the solutions eats up calories at a great rate. You may find that you are unusually tired/and or hungry. Address these and possibly explore using sleep aids that are not addictive - eg herbs like skullcap, passionflower, valerian.
16) Don't let them spring surprises on you - say they suddenly announce you have to go to the manager's office now because of a mistake they claim you have made. Buy time - say you have an appointment with a client that you will be late for, or need to go to the restroom first to inject your insulin, fake a sudden angina attack, demand a day to locate a support person and request the allegation in writing before the meeting takes place - to give you time to think about what's going on. The last two things are entirely reasonable within employment laws and part of natural justice. In this situation, time is power (yours).

I hope this helps someone at some time folks.
Feel free to add more - as many more as you can.

The tool, consciousness is available and waiting to be fully utilised. The conditions however...religion, insecurity...the whole plethora around which we organise society is in need to improving.

Incidentally liked B19s suggestion that we cultivate the mindset of a dispassionate observer as that is precsiely what we are with our wiring...observers observing a species tussling with a tool it hasnt quite perfected.

17) Never attend any kind of formal or disciplinary meeting without an independent witness/support person/union rep or legal counsel of your own choosing
18) Read about conflict resolution skills (books or the internet) Learn some basic ones and practice them out loud at home. This will be helpful in coaching yourself when you have to engage in dialogue with people who are guilty of the mobbing or guilty of deliberately ignoring it at formal meetings.

+1

Mobbed at work?

How about this very recent example:

I've been working on a certain project all year.
The project is to be presented tomorrow.
Yesterday I was told that "Your presence isn't needed at the presentation."
So I've worked all year and don't even get to be at the presentation?
WTF?
I've had enough. I quit.

Something - whatever it is - must explain this ratshit behaviour


Has anything like this happened before with this person?
What tone did they use when they said this - like kind of low key, or emphatic, or rude, or ?
Has any conflict occurred between you and this person over the recent past?
Are your talents and work of a higher standard than this person? (Do they resent your ability)
Are they doing a favour to a favourite of theirs?
Are they intending to take any credit due to you at the presentation, pass the work off as theirs?

I agree with you - it is so hurtful.

Depending on this person's personality (maybe they are just insensitive and thoughtless generally) you could go over their head to the superior and explain in an even and relaxed tone (practice):

"I have enjoyed working on project X over the last year and would appreciate your feedback on it sometime. By the way - would you mind if I attend the presentation? I could make up the time later on. It really matters to me."

^ The person in question (my supervisor) didn't even have the decency to tell me face to face. The message came via another staff member. I was told that if I go there will be too many people off site. So people are going who haven't put a fart's worth of effort into the project and I was the main co-ordinator. How does that work?

I went to see my supervisor five times today, but she was busy. I asked if I could make an appointment to discuss something with her and she said, "Come and see me after work." When I returned, her door was shut and the receptionist said she was having a meeting.

The supervisor is one of the ones who was involved in the thread I posted earlier. I don't think I'm going to get a response from that one until the presentation's over.